Chelmsford City frustrated over ambition to stage self-funded fixtures

Chelmsford's chief executive Phil Siers has vented his frustration over not being able to stage self-funded fixtures, a situation he described as "disgusting".

Siers had tweeted that British racing's leadership was preventing Chelmsford from staging six meetings financed from its own resources and told the Racing Post he had received calls of support for his stance from more than 40 trainers.

The sport has been operating under an emergency fixture list largely funded by the Levy Board since resuming after lockdown on June 1.

Prize-money levels have been criticised, especially as racecourse executive contributions have fallen as their finances have been hit by the loss of crowds and hospitality.

Chelmsford last raced on July 4 and they do not have another fixture until August 22.

Chelmsford City chief executive Phil SiersCredit: Edward Whitaker

Siers said: "We have a fallow period now when we are sitting on a racecourse ready to rock and roll, our staff ready to rock and roll and customers – trainers and owners – are looking to race.

"We want to put on fixtures. We are ready to self-fund them. The effect is in excess of £250,000 of prize-money going to racing with no cost to anybody. That racing will then generate levy funds from betting and keep owners, trainers, jockeys and grooms employed. What's not to like about it.

"This is a disgusting situation where we want to race at our own expense, not cause any issues to anyone else and yet these guys won't let us."

Siers said the course had lost around 18 fixtures this year and that even with a new fixture list having been confirmed from September 1 until the end of the year, they would not be able to claw them back.

He added: "We want to run 60 fixtures here and at the moment we will be well short of 40, which is insufficient to make ends meet. Rather than wait for handouts, we just want to get on and do it ourselves.

"Even if we run meetings at break-even that's all we are looking for, we are just wanting to keep the wheel turning."

Meanwhile, former Classic-winning trainer Neil Graham has been appointed to Chelmsford's board of directors.

Siers said: "Neil has been an integral part of the success of the racecourse since its launch in 2015. He brings with him a wealth of experience of the horseracing industry and his breadth of knowledge, both as a horseman and of the workings of the industry, will be an asset to the racecourse."

Read more:

Prize-money to rise from September as fixture list is published for rest of year

'Keeping nice horses in Britain makes no sense' - John Quinn warns of heavy toll

'Owners are being treated like schoolboys' - Kelleway hits out at racecourses

'Racecourses need to wake up': Michael Dods demands better service for owners

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